North Jersey Pediatric Cardiology
Diagnostic Testing
As with any disease or condition, the sooner you detect and diagnose a heart problem, the easier it may be to manage and treat.
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Dr. Alenick performs several diagnostic tests depending on your condition. The procedures described below are the ones most commonly used in our practice. They are completely painless and provide a great deal of information about the heart.
Echocardiogram
The echocardiogram gives information about the physical structure and function of the heart by using sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. For this procedure, a microphone-shaped instrument called a transducer is placed on your chest. The transducer sends sound waves into the chest, where they bounce off the different parts of the heart. These echoes are then transmitted into the ultrasound machine and are converted into a moving image visualized on a screen.
Among other findings, the echocardiogram allows Dr. Alenick to determine the size of the heart chambers, the thickness of the heart muscle, how well the hear is pumping, whether fluid is present in the sac surrounding the heart, whether the heart valves are leaking or if congenital or acquired heart disease may be present.
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Electrocardiogram
Also known as an EKG, ECG or cardiogram, the resting electrocardiogram measures and records the electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to contract. These electrical impulses usually travel in an orderly fashion through the various parts of the heart. Without these impulses the heart wouldn't contract or “beat”. Because the electrical activity of all human hearts follows certain predictable, normal patterns, it is easy to detect a pattern that looks different.
During this procedure, electrodes or “leads” are attached to your arms, legs, and chest. These leads detect th electrical impulses as they move through the heart. The leads may feel wet and cold due to the gel beneath each lead. The leads are connected to a machine that converts the electrical impulses into sharp, "zig-zag" lines on a strip of paper.
By looking at the EKG patterns, Dr. Alenick can see possible abnormalities in the rate and regularity of the heartbeat. The size and shape of these patterns can inform him about the heart's size and rhythm.
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Holter Monitor
Continuous ambulatory electrocardiography is done with Holter monitoring, a 24-hour long test that measures the heart's rate and rhythm while the patient goes about his or her usual daily activities. The test is typically used when an arrythmia (an irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat) is suspected.
A small monitor (about the size of an iPhone) is worn throughout the day either strapped around the waist or hung on a shoulder strap. The information is recorded on a computer chip inside the monitor.
The test may also be used to assess symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations or fainting spells, to detect suspected arrythmias that may not occur during the brief period of a standard electrocardiogram (EKG) or to evaluate how well a medication is working.
Stress Test
During a stress test, a recording of the heart's electrical activity is made while the patient is exercising. A stress test may be recommended if there is a history of symptoms with exercise, as well as for other indications.
During the stress test, electrodes are placed on your arms, legs, and chest, and a blood pressure cuff is placed on one arm. You then step onto a treadmill and begin to walk. During the test, the speed of the treadmill increases and the incline becomes more steep; this causes the heart to work harder and harder. The electrical activity of your heart is observed on a screen, and recorded, along with your blood pressure. The stress test may be used to advise a patient how much physical activity can be tolerated with safety.
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